Association revives hockey tourney after seven years of absence

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THE Selangor Hockey Association (SHA), looking forward to regain its status as the hockey kingpins, has revived the league which will start on Saturday.

SHA deputy president Datuk Subahan Kamal said the league was not held since seven years ago.

Subahan: The league will be a platform for the SHA to identify new talents.

“Now we have decided to organise the league. The league will be a platform for the SHA to identify new talents as well as provide a platform for young players, particularly those who had left school, to be active in hockey,’’ said Subahan.

A total 20 teams — eight in Division One and 12 in Division Two — for the four month league. The league will culminate with the knock out competition involving the top five teams in Division One and top three teams in Division Two.

The Division One and Division Two champions will receive RM1,000 each while the runners-up will win RM750 each. In the knock-out competition, the champions stands to win RM3,000 while RM1,500 and RM750 awaits the runners-up and third placed team. There will be other individual prizes.

The opening match will see seasoned Olak take on Selangor Police at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Deputy organising chairman P. Kuganeson said the league had the potential to be an exciting affair.

“We hope local fans will come in full force to watch the matches,’’ added Kuganeson.

The teams

Division One: RAMD, Jentera Jureletrick (JLJ), OLAK, UiTM, Selangor Sikh, MBPJ, SM Section 11 (A) and Selangor Police.

Division Two: Selangor Indian Association (SIA), Selangor Teachers (PSKPP), International Islamic UM Mustang, Synergy Hockey Club, Polyteknik Shah Alam, SMK Pengkalan Permata, RAMD Juniors, International Islamic UM Staff, Survey Department of Selangor, SM Project 11 (B), SMK Damansara Jaya and Selangor Police

League Structure

A round robin format.

The top five teams in Division One and top three teams in Division Two will qualify for the knock out stage. The bottom two in Division One will be relegated while the top two in Division Two promoted for the next season.

Prize

Division One

Champions: RM1,000

Runners-up: RM750

Division Two

Champions: RM1,000

Runners-up: RM750

Overall

Champions: RM3,000

Runners-up: RM1,500

Third: RM750

This weekend’s fixture (all matches at Pandamaran Hockey Stadium, Klang)

Division One

Sat: Olak vs Selangor Police (4pm); MBPJ vs RAMD 5.30pm; JLJ vs UiTM (7pm)

Division Two

Sun: RAMD Juniors vs Projeck 11-B (8am); Selangor Police Veteran vs JUPEM (9.30am); Politechnic Shah Alam vs Synergy HC (4pm); IIUM Mustang vs PSKPP (5.30pm); SIA vs IIUM Staff (7pm)